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    ESA · Orbiter

    JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer)

    ESA's mission to Jupiter's icy moons, which will become the first spacecraft to orbit a moon other than our own when it enters orbit around Ganymede.

    En routeIn cruise; Jupiter arrival planned for July 2031.

    Launch date

    2023-04-14

    Destination

    Jupiter system — Ganymede

    Agencies

    ESA

    Objectives

    • Characterise Ganymede, Europa and Callisto as potential habitats
    • Study Jupiter's atmosphere and magnetosphere

    Spacecraft

    About 6,000 kg at launch with 85 m² of solar arrays

    Scientific instruments and systems

    • JANUS camera
    • MAJIS
    • UVS
    • SWI
    • GALA laser altimeter
    • RIME radar
    • J-MAG
    • PEP
    • RPWI
    • 3GM
    • PRIDE

    Timeline

    1. 2023-04-14Launch on Ariane 5
    2. 2024-08World-first lunar–Earth double gravity assist
    3. 2025-08Venus flyby
    4. 2031-07Planned Jupiter arrival

    Major achievements

    • First lunar–Earth double gravity assist

    Status reviewed 2026-10-23. For official images and the latest updates, visit the agency pages listed under Sources.